2021 Chita Stag Hunt In Far North Queensland
I finally had the opportunity to hunt Chital (Axis axis) Stags in Far North Queensland with my 50 Cal Muzzle Loader with Markus from Downunder Taxidermy & Hunting. Sitka clothing gave me the advantage and performed well the hot conditions of far North Queensland.
My hunting mate, Rob Templer from Darwin also had a great hunt and stalk on a Chital Stag. Here is Rob's personal account...
After a year and half of Covid related travel restrictions I was delighted to be able to hunt Chital Stags on Markus Markus Michalowitz Chital hunting concession in Nth QLD.
Two days I hunted with several close encounters but no success. Finally on the last afternoon of the last day of the hunt I hatched a plan to be already out on the large marsh flats in position before the deer fed out for the afternoon. As the sun sunk to the horizon at 5.30 PM, I knew they would be coming in the next 30 minutes or not at all.
The wind was gusting back and forth quite unfavourably but I hoped I would at least spot some deer before they winded me. Finally, a few Chital could be seen leaving the tree line and feeding onto the flats. After a few minutes it became clear that unlike the previous days they were not feeding out towards me and I was losing shooting light fast.
The plan was changed and instead of my ambush I had to break cover and crouch run and then Indian crawl the last 200 meters to a small mound that should put me in shooting range. After arriving and panning my binos around the few deer had morphed into a herd of 50 or more.
Almost dark now with just five minutes of shooting light left I picked out the only stag in the herd. He looked ok and after ranging him at 208 yards I waited from him to lift his head. Crack went the .243 followed by the thump of a hard hit.
In the near dark I made way over and after a few nervous moments found a lovely Chital Stag piled up, shot though the heart. An end to a memorable hunt with some great friends and a worthy game animal species.
